Red tide in Sarasota County drops, but it could rise again, scientists say
SARASOTA - The beaches are getting better, at least for now.
Water samples taken Tuesday from Sarasota County beaches show a significant decline in red tide cell levels, according to Mote Marine Laboratory officials who performed the testing.
There are no longer “high” concentrations of the red-tide organism, Karenia brevis, at any Sarasota County beaches, but four sites Blind Pass, South Lido, Siesta and Turtle beaches - had medium concentrations.
Sarasota County Emergency Management said in a report Tuesday that none of the sites reported red tide aerosols or fish kills.
Read more: Complete coverage of red tide in Southwest Florida
The results came one day after Tropical Storm Gordon churned west Florida waters, and after about a week of easterly winds. The overall impact of the weather on the red tide bloom won't be known until an aerial survey and further testing can be conducted.
Vincent Lovko, a Mote phytoplankton ecologist, said winds have moved parts of the bloom on the surface further offshore, pushing dead fish and reducing respiratory effects. But he didn't think the storm was strong enough to kill the 145-mile-long swath of toxic algae.
“Whether or not those sustained offshore winds could dissipate the bloom is difficult to say at this point,” Lovko said. “We're approaching that time of year when if we didn't already have a bloom we'd normally see a bloom form along the coast. Obviously, this time of year often has conditions that are appropriate for a bloom. Since a bloom is already in the area, there is reason to think it might stick around.”
It is unlikely the tropical storm cured the area of the irritating red tide bloom, Lovko said. The storm did not pass over the bloom and did not have enough energy to sufficiently churn the water.
“I wouldn't expect we are going to see a disruption of this bloom due to the storm,” Lovko said. Beachgoers Sarasota County has collected 173 tons of dead fish and debris from public beaches since Aug. 1. On Tuesday, only normal beach raking was conducted.
Remnants of fish were scattered on parts of Siesta and Bradenton Beach on Wednesday, but some beachgoers, including Mike and Bernie Breindel of Pennsylvania, were enjoying the water.
The couple said they came to Florida to visit family and were aware red tide was present, but it did not affect their plans.
“My sister lives here,” said Mike Breindel. “We were going to come down and visit anyhow, no matter what the water was.”
The Breindels said they were warned about bad water conditions after landing in Florida. A woman at the airport told them the red tide, which began in October 2017, worsened in June. She did not recommend they go to the beach.
But Mike Breindel, an avid hunter and fisherman who's experienced freshwater blue-green algae in Lake Erie, said he wanted to visit the Gulf shore anyway.
He and his wife visited shops and ate seafood on Bridge Street this week. They knew local businesses are struggling.
“One shop owner said tourism is nowhere near normal on account of red tide,” Bernie Breindel said. Federal help The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Wednesday that a SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open at the Manatee County Island Branch Library on Friday, to assist businesses that have been affected by red tide.
The library is located at 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
Manatee County's Economic Development team and local economic development and Chamber of Commerce members will also be on hand to provide information and resources to assist and to help businesses document financial losses at Floridadisaster.biz.
The temporary SBA Center will operate until further notice. No appointments are necessary.